Four-way adjustable headrest

ABSTRACT

An adjustable headrest wherein the headrest independently moves along the substantially vertical axes of the mounting rods in response to a first-applied substantially vertical force applied to the headrest when the button is simultaneously actuated, and further wherein the headrest independently moves along the substantially horizontal axis of the slide rail in response to a second-applied substantially horizontal force applied to the headrest when the button is simultaneously actuated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to adjustable headrests for automobile passengerseats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable headrest wherein the headrest independently moves alongthe substantially vertical axes of the mounting rods in response to afirst-applied substantially vertical force applied to the headrest whenthe button is simultaneously actuated, and further wherein the headrestindependently moves along the substantially horizontal axis of the sliderail in response to a second-applied substantially horizontal forceapplied to the headrest when the button is simultaneously actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an automobile passenger seat showing therange of motions of the adjustable headrest invention.

FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the adjustable headrest assemblywithout an upholstered cover.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a locking frame and associated componentsfor the headrest assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a mounting rod cover assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of means for engaging the lockingframe, showing the means in partial cross section, taken from circle 6in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partly-sectional top view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the locking frame, mounting rod andfront mounting rod cover.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, automobile passenger seat 10 has upper and lowerseat portions, 11, 12, respectively. Adjustable headrest or headrestraint 13 with upholstered cover 14 is connected to upper seatportion 11 as described below. Adjustable headrest 13 has a plurality ofdirections of movement. The directions of movement include up and down,as indicated by arrows 15 and 16, with respect to the ground alongvertical axis 103 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Independently, the directions ofmovement include forward and backward, as indicated by arrows 17 and 18,with respect to a seated passenger along a longitudinal axis 101 (seeFIGS. 7 and 8). Button assembly 19 is used by the passenger's finger orthumb to actuate the internal mechanism described herein for obtainingand holding a desired overall position of headrest 11.

Referring to FIG. 2 a front isometric view is shown of adjustableheadrest assembly 20 (with upholstered cover 14 removed). Headrestassembly 20 comprises mounting rods 21, 22, respectively, and shell 23.Mounting rod 21, 22, connect headrest assembly 20 to upper seat portion11 and are in sliding communication with the upper seat portion. Withinshell 23 is a box frame (not shown), wherein lower edge 24 of the boxframe extends below shell 23. Shell 23 is connected to the box frame viaa plurality of screws, including 25, 26, respectively. Button assembly19 extends beyond shell 23 along a lateral axis (not shown) for lockingand unlocking headrest 13 in order to provide the adjustments describedherein.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exploded view of headrest assembly 20 is shown.Some of the components of the headrest assembly include button assembly19, mounting rods 21, 22 (which together form mounting rod assembly 27),mounting rod covers 28, 29, respectively, box frame 30, locking frame 31and shell 23. A method for assembling these components comprisesinserting locking frame 31 (already having means for receiving 32projection 75) within box frame 30. Button assembly 19 is then connectedto locking frame 31 via stem attachment feature 53. Dashed line 33indicates that rod covers 28, 29, are assembled with locking frame 31(within box frame 30) via slide bars 34, 35. Rods covers 28, 29, may besnapped together over rod assembly 27 via plurality of flexible tabs 36,37, and their respective plurality of tab receiving features, 38, 39.Slide bars 34, 35, are inserted through apertures 40, 42, and 41, 43,respectively, of box frame 30; as well as through apertures 58, 60, and66, 67, respectively, of locking frame 31 (see FIG. 4); and throughapertures 44, 46, and grooves 45, 47, respectively, of rod covers 28,29. Plurality of elastic elements such as springs 48 are insertedbetween slide bars 34, 35, and box frame 30 along sides 49, 50, of thebox frame. Plurality of elastic elements 48 are also inserted betweenelement 57 and sides 49, 50, of the box frame. Means of receiving 32 maymove in the directions indicated by arrow 99 independently of slide bars34, 35. Furthermore, button assembly 19 is comprised of button 51 havingstem 52 with stem attachment feature 53, spring or elastic element 54,button guide 55 and guide retainer 56 (formed on box frame 30). Theindividual components related to the button are assembled as understoodby a person having ordinary skill in the art. Button 51 and lockingframe 31 may move in the directions indicated by arrow 104

Referring to FIG. 4, an isometric view of locking frame 31, button 51,slide bars 34, 35, and element 57 having means for receiving 32projection 75 are shown. Note that sufficient clearance exists betweenlocking frame apertures 58, 60, and slide bar 34, respectively, andlocking frame apertures 59, 61, and slide bar 35, so as to permit theslide bars to be readily inserted through the locking frame apertures(and also through the box frame and rod cover apertures/grooves asdescribed above) during manufacturing of the headrest assembly.Apertures 58, 60, 62 and 63 are located within substantially straightportions 64, 65, of locking frame 31, whereas apertures 59, 61, arelocated within curved portions 66, 67, respectively, of the lockingframe. Element 57 is constrained within apertures 62, 63, of lockingframe 31 so as to allow element 57 selected freedom of movement alonglateral axis 102 (see FIG. 8) within the locking frame. Similarly, slidebar 34 is constrained within apertures 58, 60, so as to allow selectedfreedom of movement along lateral axis 102 within the locking frame.Similarly, slide bar 35 is constrained within apertures 59, 61, so as toallow selected freedom of movement along the lateral axis.

Referring to FIG. 5, an isometric view of mounting rod cover assembly 68is shown. Cover assembly 68 comprises front and rear mounting rodcovers, 28, 29, respectively. The cover assembly is supported by, and insliding communication with, slide rods 69, 70. Slide rods 69, 70, areconnected to box frame 30 via screws 25, 26, and 71, 72. Aperture 44 isshown, which receives slide bar 34. Grooves 45 and 47 receive slide bar35. Cover assembly 68 has channel 73, with means for engaging thelocking frame 74 located therein.

Referring to FIG. 6, means for engaging the locking frame 74 is shown indetail. Means for engaging 74 may comprise tooth or projection 75 whichmay extend substantially perpendicular to wall 76 of cover assembly 68 aselected distance into channel 73. Projection 75 has distal end 77 andproximal end 78. Proximal end 78 may be formed integrally with wall 76,as indicated by cross section 79. Alternatively projection 75 may be aseparate component which assembles together with wall 76 to providemeans for engaging 74. In this case, proximal end 78 may extend into orthrough the thickness of wall 76. Alternatively, means for engaging 74may comprise a pin, stud or cylinder.

Referring to FIG. 7, a partly-sectional top view of adjustable headrestassembly 20 taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2 is shown. Mounting rods 21,22, are shown in cross section as substantially round tubes, and passthrough openings 81, 82, in the bottom of box frame 30. Assembled aroundthe mounting rods via flexible tabs such as at reference number 36 arefront and rear mounting rod covers, 28, 29, respectively. Slide rod 69is in sliding communication with aperture 85 of cover 29. Slide rod 69also passes through aperture 83 of cover 28 and is in slidingcommunication with an aperture in cover 28 that corresponds to 85. Sliderod 70 is in sliding communication with aperture 86 of cover 29. Sliderod 70 also passes through aperture 84 of cover 28 and is in slidingcommunication with an aperture in cover 28 that corresponds to 86.Furthermore, slide rods 69, 70, support box frame 30 and shell 23. Theslide rods support the box frame via screws 25, 26, 71 and 72, which areinstalled in threaded bores (not shown) at the ends of the slide rods.Screws 71, 72, also pass through apertures 107, 108, respectively, ofshell 23 to substantially secure the shell to the box frame. Lockingframe 31 comprising substantially straight portions 64, 65, and flange88, is supported by box frame 30 and rod covers 28, 29, via slide bars34, 35, which pass through the locking frame and rod covers. Sufficientclearance exists between flange 88 and inner surface 87 of box frame 30so as to facilitate movement by the locking frame within the box frame.Furthermore, slide bars 34, 35, are substantially in slidingcommunication with the rod covers 28, 29. Element 57 having means 32 forreceiving projection 75 (which extends from wall 76 of the mounting rodcover assembly) is loosely constrained within apertures 62, 63, ofsubstantially straight portions 64, 65. Slide bars 34, 35, are alsoloosely constrained within the locking frame as described above. Buttonguide 55 is inserted into and retained by guide retainer 56 via flexibletabs (see FIG. 3). Stem 52 passes through guide retainer 56 and isconnected to the locking frame.

Referring to FIG. 8, a rear isometric view of locking frame 31, mountingrods 21, 22, and front mounting rod cover 28 is shown. Elastic elements48 connected to the box frame (not shown) bear against the ends of eachof slide bars 34, 35, and element 57, so as to impart a force alonglateral axis 102. In operation, referring to the figures above, anautomobile passenger desiring to change the position of adjustableheadrest 13 pushes button 51 in the direction shown by arrow 80 in FIG.7. In doing so, locking frame 31 overcomes the restraining or restoringforces of elastic elements 48, so that the locking frame moves ortranslates within box frame 30 and shell 23 along lateral axis 102 inthe direction shown by arrow 80 in FIG. 7. When locking frame 31 movesin this fashion, it is displaced from a first position indicated byarrow 91 in FIG. 7 to a second position indicated by arrow 92.Correspondingly, the side of the locking frame opposite the buttonassembly is displaced from a first position indicated by arrow 89 inFIG. 7 to a second position indicated by arrow 90. Substantiallysimultaneously, slide bar 34 is displaced from a first positionindicated by arrow 95 in FIG. 7 to a second position indicated by arrow96. In so doing, slide bar 34 disengages one of plurality of grooves 106on mounting rod 22. Also substantially simultaneously, slide bar 35 isdisplaced from a first position indicated by arrow 93 in FIG. 7 to asecond position indicated by arrow 94. In so doing, slide bar 35disengages one of plurality of grooves 105 on mounting rod 21. Alsosubstantially simultaneously, element 57 is displaced from a firstposition indicated by arrow 97 in FIG. 7 to a second position indicatedby arrow 98. In so doing, means for receiving 32 disengages projection75 on wall 76. At this point, and as long as the button remainsdepressed, headrest assembly 20 is substantially free to be guided bythe passenger's hand or hands from a first overall headrest position toa second overall headrest position. The overall headrest position maycomprise moving from a first vertical position to a second verticalposition, and as indicated by arrow 100 in FIG. 7, substantiallysimultaneously a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinalposition (as indicated by the dashed outline for cover 23).

After releasing the button the combination of elastic elements describedherein act substantially together to move the slide bars and element 57towards mounting rod 22. In so doing, slide bar 34 returns to itsdefault position in contact with mounting rod 22. Slide bar 34 mayimmediately engage one of the plurality of grooves 106, so that slidebar 34 is substantially constrained from vertical movement by theengaged groove. Alternatively, slide bar 34 may not immediately engageone of the plurality of grooves 106, but rather come in contact with theouter, substantially round surface of mounting rod 22. In this event, aselected amount of additional vertical displacement by the passenger,without the passenger depressing the button, will permit slide bar 34 toengage one of the plurality of grooves 106.

After releasing the button, slide bar 35 returns to its default positionin contact with mounting rod 21. Slide bar 35 may immediately engage oneof the plurality of grooves 105, so that slide bar 35 is substantiallyconstrained from vertical movement by the engaged groove. Alternatively,slide bar 35 may not immediately engage one of the plurality of grooves105, but rather come in contact with the outer, substantially roundsurface of mounting rod 21. In this event, a selected amount ofadditional vertical displacement by the passenger, without the passengerdepressing the button, will permit slide bar 35 to engage one of theplurality of grooves 105. When grooves of both mounting rods have beenengaged, the headrest is locked in the desired new vertical position.

After releasing the button, means for receiving 32 return to theirdefault position in contact with projection 75. Means for receiving 32may immediately engage projection 75 as shown in FIG. 7, so that meansfor receiving 32 and element 57 are substantially constrained fromlongitudinal movement by the engaged projection. Alternatively, meansfor receiving 32 may not immediately engage the projection, but ratherthe projection may come in contact with a peak or “flat” of means 32. Inthis event, a selected amount of additional longitudinal displacement bythe passenger, without the passenger depressing the button, will permitmeans 32 to engage projection 75, thus locking the headrest in thedesired new longitudinal position. The mechanism for 20 described abovethus facilitates and permits substantially simultaneous unlocking of theheadrest assembly for repositioning together with substantiallyindependent locking along the vertical and longitudinal axes of theheadrest assembly.

The invention may also be described as follows:

An adjustable headrest having mounting rod portions along substantiallyparallel axes, comprising a locking frame having a longitudinal axis andtwo sides, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the lockingframe further having a bridge member extending between the two sides,which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, thebridge member having means for receiving substantially transverse to thelongitudinal axis; a box frame having first and second slide railswherein the first slide rail is in sliding communication with thelocking frame and substantially guides the locking frame in the fore/aftdirection during use of the headrest; an enclosure about the mountingrod portions, the enclosure having first and second apertures, insliding communication with the first and second slide rails,respectively, the enclosure further having means for engaging the meansfor receiving, wherein the means for engaging are substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis, wherein the means for engaging are adaptablefor engagement with the means for receiving; a button (connected to/inmechanical communication with) the locking frame, wherein asubstantially normal force applied to the button sufficient to overcomethe return force of a resilient element causes the locking frame totranslate or displace along the longitudinal axis of the locking frameand the means for engaging to disengage the means for receiving; a shellconnected to the box frame, wherein the shell support a foam element;wherein the headrest (independently) moves along the substantiallyvertical axes (of the mounting rods) in response to a first-appliedsubstantially vertical force applied to the headrest when the button issimultaneously actuated; and further wherein the headrest(independently) moves along the substantially horizontal axis of theslide rail in response to a second-applied substantially horizontalforce applied to the headrest when the button is simultaneouslyactuated.

An adjustable headrest wherein the means for receiving are selected fromthe group consisting of channels, notches, grooves, apertures and blindholes.

An adjustable headrest wherein the means for receiving 19 comprising aplurality of channels; wherein the width of each channel is betweenabout 2 to about 3 mm; wherein the distance between each channel isbetween about 8 to about 9 mm.

An adjustable headrest wherein the means for engaging 58 comprising asubstantially rectangular tooth; wherein the width of each tooth isbetween about 1.5 to about 2.5 mm.

An adjustable headrest wherein the means for receiving 19 comprising aplurality of apertures; wherein the diameter of each aperture is betweenabout 5 to about 6 mm; wherein the distance between each aperture isbetween about 8 to about 9 mm.

An adjustable headrest wherein the means for engaging 58 comprising alocking pin wherein the diameter of the locking pin is between about 4to about 5 mm.

An adjustable headrest having mounting rod portions along substantiallyparallel axes, comprising a locking frame having a longitudinal axis andtwo sides substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the lockingframe further having a bridge member extending between the two sides,which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, thebridge member having a plurality of apertures substantially transverseto the longitudinal axis; a box frame having first and second sliderails, wherein the first slide rail is in sliding communication with thelocking frame and substantially guides the locking frame in the fore/aftdirection during use of the headrest; an enclosure about the mountingrod portions, the enclosure having first and second apertures in slidingcommunication with the first and second slide rails, respectively, theenclosure further having a locking pin affixed thereto, wherein thelocking pin is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, whereinthe locking pin is adaptable for engagement with any of the plurality ofapertures; a button (connected to/in mechanical communication with) thelocking frame, wherein a substantially normal force FN applied to thebutton sufficient to overcome the return force of a resilient elementcauses the locking frame to translate/displace along the longitudinalaxis of the locking frame and the locking pin to disengage itsrespective aperture; a shell connected to the box frame, wherein theshell support a foam element; wherein the headrest (independently) movesalong the substantially vertical axes (of the mounting rods) in responseto a first-applied substantially vertical force F1 applied to theheadrest when the button is simultaneously actuated; and further whereinthe headrest (independently) moves along the substantially horizontalaxis of the slide rail in response to a second-applied substantiallyhorizontal force F2 applied to the headrest when the button issimultaneously actuated.

An adjustable headrest wherein the locking frame and box frame form asubstantially rectangular configuration.

An adjustable headrest wherein the locking frame and box frame form asubstantially trapezoidal configuration.

An adjustable headrest wherein the box frame having a plurality of firstslide rails.

An adjustable headrest wherein the box frame having a plurality ofsecond slide rails.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill also include all embodiments falling within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An adjustable headrest, comprising: alocking frame having a longitudinal axis and two sides substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis, the locking frame further having abridge member extending between the two sides, the bridge membersubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the bridge memberhaving a plurality of apertures substantially transverse to thelongitudinal axis; a box frame having first and second slide rails,wherein the first slide rail is in sliding communication with thelocking frame and substantially guides the locking frame in fore and aftdirections during use of the headrest; mounting rods provided alongsubstantially parallel axes; an enclosure about the mounting rods, theenclosure having first and second apertures in sliding communicationwith the first and second slide rails, respectively, the enclosurefurther having a locking pin affixed thereto, wherein the locking pin issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking pinis adaptable for engagement with at least one of the plurality ofapertures; a button connected to the locking frame, wherein a forceapplied to the button sufficient to overcome a return force of aresilient element causes the locking frame to displace along thelongitudinal axis of the locking frame and the locking pin to disengageits respective aperture; a shell connected to the box frame, wherein theshell supports a foam element; wherein the headrest independently movesalong substantially vertical axes of the mounting rods in response to asubstantially vertical force applied to the headrest when the button issimultaneously actuated; and wherein the headrest independently movesalong a second substantially horizontal axis of at least one of theslide rails in response to a substantially horizontal force applied tothe headrest when the button is simultaneously actuated.
 2. Theadjustable headrest of claim 1, wherein the box frame has a plurality offirst slide rails.
 3. The adjustable headrest of claim 1, wherein thebox frame has a plurality of second slide rails.